The meeting, held in Wednesday, brought together senior executives from both organisations to discuss the future of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, infrastructure development, service quality, and emerging opportunities within the country’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

The Executive Management and Staff of ntel include Afolabi Oladunjoye, Ikechi Jim Nnah, George Ifeonyemetalu, Chinedu Anochirionye, Ariyike Akinbobola LL.B, Nasirudeen Babalola, who were received by the hairman of the NCC, in a meeting centered on innovation, industry growth, and the future of connectivity in Nigeria.

Also present were the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami; the Board Secretary, GT Mohammed; alongside members of the Commission’s management and staff.

Discussions during the engagement focused on strengthening industry collaboration, expanding broadband access, improving connectivity infrastructure, and driving innovation capable of supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation ambitions.

Speaking during the meeting, Olorunnimbe emphasised the importance of sustained investment, service quality, and innovation in delivering value to Nigerian consumers.

He encouraged ntel to continue positioning itself as a strong Nigerian player within the highly competitive telecommunications sector.

“The opportunity ahead is significant for operators committed to quality, innovation, and long-term value creation,” he said, reiterating the Commission’s commitment to supporting operators while strengthening the broader telecommunications ecosystem.

The NCC chairman also acknowledged ntel’s ongoing investments and new initiatives aimed at expanding broadband connectivity and enhancing digital access across the country.

For ntel, the visit provided an opportunity to deepen engagement with the regulator while reaffirming its commitment to delivering transformative digital infrastructure and innovative connectivity solutions for businesses, institutions, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and communities across Nigeria.

The company said discussions also highlighted the growing demand for reliable broadband services and the importance of introducing innovative products capable of expanding digital inclusion and supporting economic growth.

The engagement comes shortly after ntel announced the deployment of NOVA (Tarana), its next-generation Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) initiative designed to improve access to high-speed wireless connectivity nationwide.

According to the company, the project is expected to strengthen ntel’s role as a digital infrastructure provider by enabling partner ISPs, enterprises, and organisations to deliver broadband services using its network infrastructure.

Both parties expressed optimism about continued collaboration toward building a more connected and digitally empowered Nigeria.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to Idris Olorunnimbe, chairman of the NCC Board, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, ALTON chairman, highlighted recent policy interventions as pivotal in addressing longstanding structural challenges.

According to Adebayo, strategic foreign exchange reforms and the resolution of a nearly ₦300 billion USSD debt backlog helped alleviate financial strain on operators, particularly where revenues earned in Naira were strained by foreign-denominated costs for bandwidth, equipment and international traffic.

Regulatory guidance that migrated USSD billing to end-user billing effectively eliminated these systemic debts, he said, turning a looming crisis into a sustainable framework.

On pricing, the ALTON chairman underscored the significance of the NCC’s decision to approve tariff adjustments after 13 years of static pricing.

He noted that inflationary pressures, exchange volatility and rising energy costs had pushed service pricing below sustainable cost levels. The tariff review, he argued, not only prevented service rationing and industry decline but also improved network stability and revived operators’ capital expenditure planning.

Despite these gains, Adebayo drew attention to infrastructure risks, particularly recurring fibre cuts linked to road construction activities.

He called for enforced consequence management, insisting that contractors responsible for telecom infrastructure damage must be held accountable and required to restore connectivity before continuing work.

Responding to the commendation, Idris Olorunnimbe, NCC Chairman, described telecommunications as the central nervous system of the economy, stressing that failures in connectivity can ripple across commerce, education, health and governance.

He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to regulatory independence, fairness and partnerships that elevate service quality for consumers.

Olorunnimbe also reaffirmed efforts to enforce Critical National Infrastructure protections and called on operators to support broader national objectives, including expanding access in underserved communities and exploring zero-rated educational platforms to enhance digital inclusion.

Mr. Olorunnimbe was appointed alongside other distinguished designate-Board members and members of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) Board.

The appointments, announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, bring together a team of seasoned professionals whose careers are marked by excellence, proven competence, and a deep understanding of governance and innovation.

Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman/CEO of the NCC, described the new leadership as “a strategic asset” for the nation’s digital economy drive.

“These are individuals with vast experience and a passion for progress. Their collective expertise will not only guide the Commission’s regulatory mission but will also inject fresh momentum into Nigeria’s journey toward a vibrant, inclusive digital economy,” he said.

NCC expressed its gratitude to President Tinubu for the appointments, pledging to work hand-in-hand with its supervising Ministry and the new Board to deliver on the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

With their strategic insights and strong governance approach, the Commission believes this leadership team will help accelerate the transformation of Nigeria’s communications landscape, ensuring it remains a powerful engine for economic growth, innovation, and national development.

Idris Olorunnimbe has been named Chairman of the NCC, while Dr Aminu Maida retains his position as Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, a role he was appointed to in October 2023 and confirmed by the Senate the following month. 

Olorunnimbe previously served on the board of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), where he chaired the Stakeholder and Governance Committee and led youth employment and entrepreneurship initiatives.

The new NCC board members include Abraham Oshidami as Executive Commissioner, Technical Services; Rimini Makama as Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management; Hajia Maryam Bayi, former Director of Human Capital & Administration; Col Abdulwahab Lawal (Rtd); Senator Lekan Mustafa; Chris Okorie; and Princess Oforitsenere Emiko. The board secretary completes the line-up.

For the USPF, Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, will serve as Chairman, with Olorunnimbe as Vice Chairman. 

Other members are Oshidami, Makama, Aliyu Edogi Aliyu (representing the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy), Joseph B. Faluyi (Ministry of Finance representative), Auwal Mohammed (Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning representative), Uzoma Dozie, Peter Bankole, Abayomi Anthony Okanlawon, Gafar Oluwasegun Quadri, and the USPF Executive Secretary, Yomi Arowosafe.

The USPF, established by the Federal Government, is tasked with expanding access to information and communication technologies in rural, unserved, and underserved areas, aligning with Nigeria’s digital inclusion agenda.